China and envoys of the Dalai Lama hold talks about Tibet

A day after the first talks between the Dalai Lama's envoys and Chinese officials in a year, both sides have reportedly agreed to hold further meetings.

Sunday's talks, held in the city of Shenzhen, near Hong Kong, were aimed at easing tensions after antigovernment riots in Tibet in March that have cast a shadow over the buildup to China's Olympic Games. For weeks, international leaders have pressed China to reopen talks with the Dalai Lama's envoys.

"The fact we are once again in contact is very vital for a solution to the Tibetan issue," Thubten Samphel, spokesman of the northern India-based Tibetan government-in-exile, told AFP by phone.

"It is also very good that China agreed to honour a meeting later."...

"The issue of Tibet is too complicated and one cannot expect one or two rounds of talks will lead to solutions, but what is important is that the two sides are talking, which will help in dispelling mistrust,"